Carbon 6 Tikka pre-fit

[Sled]

We're getting closer. They cut the chamber on a new 270wsm today. It looked much better than mine but hard to tell from just a low res video head on. I did take a few more pics of mine for those interested. The first 4 inches past the chamber were a bit suspect. It would take a lot of fire lapping to smooth out these tool marks.

 

[wapitibob]

Looks like somebody ran some 180 grit on a drill motor down that barrel.

 

[Muddler]

Good grief. I'm seriously considering canceling my order

 

[TxLite]

Looks like somebody ran some 180 grit on a drill motor down that barrel.

Proprietary “sand lapping” technique

 

[Tahoe1305]

Proprietary “sand lapping” technique

I went back and looked this weekend. An order CNX is 50% lost…..am I missing something?

Not to say it ain’t worth it to “save” 50%.

 

[TxLite]

I went back and looked this weekend. An order CNX is 50% lost…..am I missing something?

Not to say it ain’t worth it to “save” 50%.

The way I read it is that you only lose the 50% if work has begun on your barrel. If not, I think you’d get the full refund.

As far as it being worth it/quality control concerns, I never looked at the bore on my 7prc with a bore scope. It might be just as jacked up as some of these others but it shoots within their .5 moa guarantee and headspaced correctly so I’m not too worried about it. Still waiting on my buddy to go shoot his 7-08 with the tight chamber and see how it does.

 

[Tahoe1305]

The way I read it is that you only lose the 50% if work has begun on your barrel. If not, I think you’d get the full refund.

As far as it being worth it/quality control concerns, I never looked at the bore on my 7prc with a bore scope. It might be just as jacked up as some of these others but it shoots within their .5 moa guarantee and headspaced correctly so I’m not too worried about it. Still waiting on my buddy to go shoot his 7-08 with the tight chamber and see how it does.

Yeah agree. Last barrel I got. One week after I placed the order they offered a new barrel twist. I called to switch and was told it already started (conveniently) and would be a change fee…..guessing you’ll get a similar story but I hope not!

 

[TxLite]

One week after I placed the order they offered a new barrel twist. I called to switch and was told it already started (conveniently) and would be a change fee

Crazy how that works isn’t it? Still probably took the full 12+ weeks to receive it too

I don’t currently have any on order with them. Have a buddy that is having a 20” 30-06 installed on a Weatherby Vanguard currently so I’m interesting to see how that goes.

I’m wondering how many of these issues are only superficial (obviously out of headspace would not qualify) and how the barrel would perform if put into service.

 

[Tahoe1305]

It in fact took longer! I was blamed for wanting a custom reamer and cerakote. Then at the end they said they stopped cerakoting ….sorry.

 

[Sled]

I’m wondering how many of these issues are only superficial (obviously out of headspace would not qualify) and how the barrel would perform if put into service.

Horseshoes and hand grenades...

Pick which issues you're willing to overlook before you get the barrel and then be happy if it comes in without issue. There are some issues that can easily be avoided with any level of attention to QC.

If you pre ordered a luxury car that showed up with shitty fit and finish but drove fine, would you keep it and be happy?

 

[Sled]

I will say that the exterior on mine looks great with the exception of the muzzle threads. The tenon threads were great and headspace was adequate but on the tight side.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Crazy how that works isn’t it? Still probably took the full 12+ weeks to receive it too

I don’t currently have any on order with them. Have a buddy that is having a 20” 30-06 installed on a Weatherby Vanguard currently so I’m interesting to see how that goes.

I’m wondering how many of these issues are only superficial (obviously out of headspace would not qualify) and how the barrel would perform if put into service.

I will likely shoot mine regardless how it looks.

I didn’t look at my first one. It’s a 1/4” barrel.

If this one shoots like that I don’t care what the inners look like personally. It’s a hunting rig not a prs championship gun.

 

[TxLite]

If you pre ordered a luxury car that showed up with shitty fit and finish but drove fine, would you keep it and be happy?

I understand the frustration. But for me personally, I guess I don’t view a $600 prefit barrel (paid $587 with the Black Friday sale) as a high end luxury vehicle. I assumed it to be a budget barrel when comparing to a carbon bartlein or proof and decided it was worth the risk when seeing their performance guarantee and some of the reviews I’d read at the time. It’s literally the cheapest carbon prefit I’ve seen that gives the customization that they allow for. Again it’s just my opinion for my rifle, but for a hunting rifle that will likely get beat up, if it functions fine and shoots within their half moa guarantee then some of the minor blemishes are less likely to bother me.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I understand the frustration. But for me personally, I guess I don’t view a $600 prefit barrel (paid $587 with the Black Friday sale) as a high end luxury vehicle. I assumed it to be a budget barrel when comparing to a carbon bartlein or proof and decided it was worth the risk when seeing their performance guarantee and some of the reviews I’d read at the time. It’s literally the cheapest carbon prefit I’ve seen that gives the customization that they allow for. Again it’s just my opinion for my rifle, but for a hunting rifle that will likely get beat up, if it functions fine and shoots within their half moa guarantee then some of the minor blemishes are less likely to bother me.

I agree with this. But also the other thought.

I would ideally like it to be perfect. But more important to me is it shoots. Most barrel makers claim a 1/2” guarantee or something. But then if it doesn’t shoot there ain’t much recourse (is it shooter, ammo, barrel).

I guess I’m saying id rather have a barrel that shoots that doesn’t look perfect. Than a perfect looking barrel that doesn’t shoot.

Ideally both, but with any company there is no guarantee (regardless of what they say).

 

[TxLite]

Ideally both, but with any company there is no guarantee (regardless of what they say).

Agreed. Even Proof has had its fair share of duds and headspace failures on prefits.

 

[wind gypsy]

I understand the frustration. But for me personally, I guess I don’t view a $600 prefit barrel (paid $587 with the Black Friday sale) as a high end luxury vehicle. I assumed it to be a budget barrel when comparing to a carbon bartlein or proof and decided it was worth the risk when seeing their performance guarantee and some of the reviews I’d read at the time. It’s literally the cheapest carbon prefit I’ve seen that gives the customization that they allow for. Again it’s just my opinion for my rifle, but for a hunting rifle that will likely get beat up, if it functions fine and shoots within their half moa guarantee then some of the minor blemishes are less likely to bother me.

No kidding. Paying less than a premium carbon blank for a built to order contour, length, chamber, and muzzle threads is the opposite of buying luxury.

 

[Tahoe1305]

No kidding. Paying less than a premium carbon blank for a built to order contour, length, chamber, and muzzle threads is the opposite of buying luxury.

My Theory about why we are starting to see what we are is that C6 is/was starting to get some solid recognition for putting out quality barrels.

During their big winter sale folks realized they can get a turnkey solution at honestly close to half the price as other brands.

Tons of people buy. Younger company attempt to keep up with demand…..and like normal something gives and usually that something is Quality Control and Customer Service. Hope they figure it out because I personally like budget barrels that are made to order.

 

[Sled]

I understand the frustration. But for me personally, I guess I don’t view a $600 prefit barrel (paid $587 with the Black Friday sale) as a high end luxury vehicle. I assumed it to be a budget barrel when comparing to a carbon bartlein or proof and decided it was worth the risk when seeing their performance guarantee and some of the reviews I’d read at the time. It’s literally the cheapest carbon prefit I’ve seen that gives the customization that they allow for. Again it’s just my opinion for my rifle, but for a hunting rifle that will likely get beat up, if it functions fine and shoots within their half moa guarantee then some of the minor blemishes are less likely to bother me.

maybe a bad analogy. i view a barrel as a tool. i thought i was buying a craftsman and didn't expect it to be a snap-on or a matco. turns out i was shopping at harbor freight the whole time.

 

[Sled]

No kidding. Paying less than a premium carbon blank for a built to order contour, length, chamber, and muzzle threads is the opposite of buying luxury.

yes, but did you expect it to be higher or even the same quality than the factory barrel it replaced?

 

[Sled]

How do you know it’s the chamber that’s out of spec and not the action?

Well, I now have two barrels from carbon six that are supposed to be prefit. One is tight but acceptable. The next one is loose by an extra .003 . I can close the no go gauge without any resistance. When an extra .003 on top of the no-go provides 1/4 bolt hard stop.

The action is the same and the factory Tikka barrels I've put in it have all head spaced correctly.

So this will be the second barrel headed back.